Sewer Smell

[Jurudica]

When we travel down the road, our camper gets a sewer smell in it. It doesn't come from the bathroom and it disappears once we are parked. Does anyone know what might cause this? We didn't have the problem until this spring.

[Half Dimes]

This sometimes happens when there is a difference is air pressure created when the rig is in motion. Probably just coming in from the roof vent for the black tank. At worst, there could be a leak in the air vent pipe inside a wall, but that's unlikely.

[YC1]

Camco Mfg Inc - Cyclone Sewer Vent - Vents - Camping World

Try one of these. Available at most rv part stores. If you are putting chemicals in the black water also put some in the gray water. It can smell worse than the black water if untreated.

[ajlcal]

I'm a retired master plumber. Here's what I'm thinking about your problem. Just like in your home, there are traps under every plumbing fixture. The water in those traps prevents sewer gas from entering your home or RV. If water evaporates in the traps, you will smell sewer gas. When your RV is in storage the traps can evaporate from non use allowing sewer gas to enter the RV. Then when you're camping, water is added by using the fixtures thereby eliminating the odor. Add water from time to time when in storage or find a way to plug the drains and your problem may be solved. If that isn't the problem, then check the toilet seal. That's the only fixture that does not have a water trap like in your home. If that seal is faulty you will smell sewer gas. Have you ever walked through used RV's at a dealership and smelled a foul odor in every single one. It's the traps that have dried out.

[Belgian]

Make sure your roof vents are closed when traveling.

[SCClockDr]

If you have a washer/drier hookup with out the washer/drier that trap may become dry and is usually the one forgotten when winterizing etc..

Also a sink/shower trap may be being siphoned dry due to a faulty vacuum breaker or pest nest clogged vent.

Last but not necessarily least if a vent pipe was used to route solar or sat tv wiring from the roof the seal where the wires exit the pipe may have failed.

Good luck finding the source.

[Jurudica]

Thanks to all who replied to my question. All of the answers were helpful. We did buy a vent trap that fits under the sink but we haven't had to use it. We didn't know if ours was bad but bought one just in case. We filled the drains with water before we took off traveling down the road. That seemed to take care of it!! Must have been dry traps!!